In search of a prettier circle

I've always been pretty haphazard about doing circular flat peyote stitch.  Generally, I use the method recommended in the back of both Beadwork and Bead and Button magazines: you start with a small odd-numbered circle and build off of it, each row alternating between adding one bead and two beads for each stitch.  And if need be, you alternate between one and two within a row.

It works well for awhile, but eventually it gets kind of messy.  I never worried about it too much, because I'm more into freeform than into precise geometric work anyway, but it occurred to me that maybe I ought to care, just in case...

So it was with great delight that I found Jean Campbell's instruction for circular flat peyote stitch in the most recent issue of Beadwork (Feb/Mar 2010).  Here's the thing: it's wicked easy to do and to keep track of what you're actually supposed to be doing, rather than trying to just feel your way and figure it out.  And look at the results:

Jean's circle......vs.....my icky circle

Isn't that nice?

I know that Jean's method gives you more of a flower shape, but hey, mine isn't actually a circle either! 



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